David Archuleta: American Idol, the Mormon Church, and the Making of Devout

Most people know David Archuleta from the American Idol stage. Far fewer know what was happening beneath the surface the entire time.In this episode of Love, Take Two, David sits down to talk about Devout: Losing My Faith to Find Myself, his 2026 memoir that pulls back the curtain on a journey most of his fans never saw coming. From winning Star Search at 12 to becoming one of the most recognized faces of the American Idol era, David spent years performing for the world while privately navigating something much harder — a faith system that had no room for who he actually was.David opens up about what it felt like to grow up deeply embedded in the Mormon Church while quietly reckoning with his queer identity, the emotional abuse he experienced along the way, and the severe anxiety that followed him through some of the highest profile moments of his career. He talks about what finally pushed him toward deconstruction, what he lost in the process, and what he found on the other side of it.Key TakeawaysWhat David's early rise on American Idol looked like from the insideHow his Mormon faith shaped his identity and his career for yearsThe moment he knew something had to change and what that process actually looked likeHow he navigated coming out publicly while also leaving his churchWhat writing Devout taught him about himself and why he felt it was time to tell this storyIf this episode moved you, pass it along to someone who is in the middle of their own deconstruction — whatever form that takes — and come find us on social.Connect with Us⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Love, Take Two Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Love, Take Two Tiktok⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Love, Take Two Youtube⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Jaimie Kelton Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Jose Rolon Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠David ArchuletaCredits:Edited by: Jerson BarajasRecorded by: MCM CreativeProduced by: Jose Rolon, Jaimie Kelton, and Dianni Hall